Experienced Sarasota Attorney Provides Family Law Mediation Services

Professional and compassionate guidance leading to amicable solutions

The state of Florida requires parties to family law litigation to attempt mediation before proceeding to trial. Mediation is also a tool that parties to a dispute can use before filing a lawsuit. At Tia E. Jensen, P.A., I use mediation to resolve a full range of family law conflicts, from divorce to child custody and property division. I am a Florida Supreme Court-certified mediator as well as an attorney with more than 20 years of experience. My goal is to help families resolve their legal issues as peacefully and amicably as possible, and mediation is one of the most effective methods for accomplishing that goal.

How family law mediation works in Florida

Mediation is a dispute resolution process where parties meet, with or without attorneys, before a neutral third party, who attempts to guide them to a mutually beneficial agreement. The parties schedule sessions to meet and discuss their concerns. When the parties reach an impasse, the mediator leads discussions to illuminate the reasons for the positions the parties have taken and search for paths to a successful compromise. When the parties reach agreement, the mediator drafts a document memorializing the agreement, which the parties present to the court for acceptance.

In my practice, I often use mediation for:

Divorce cases

Child custody disputes

Child support and alimony settlements

Property division settlements

Parenting plan modifications

Parental relocation disputes

As a mediator, I take a very methodical approach, going issue by issue, to reach a comprehensive settlement. I also act as attorney for parties engaged in mediation.

Advantages of using mediation rather than taking a dispute to trial

Mediation can be a required step prior to trial or a process you use to avoid filing a lawsuit in the first place. Either way, there are many benefits to mediating your family law conflict rather than taking the issues to trial:

Work at your own pace — You are not subject to the crowded court calendar, so you can schedule your sessions at your convenience.

Save on expenses — Litigation requires discovery and consultation with expert witnesses, such as financial advisors, child psychologists and social workers, on each side. In mediation, you either avoid or share such expenses.

Avoid a fight in open court — Court appearances are stressful, especially for children who might have to give testimony. Mediation is private and confidential.

Retain greater control over the outcome — Mediation leads to a settlement, but only if you agree. If you litigate in court, a judge could issue an order that is adverse to your interests.

Establish a cooperative mode for future co-parenting — Making a parenting plan work requires flexibility, give and take, and mutual respect. It is hard to go from an adversarial proceeding to a cooperative mindset, but mediation lays the groundwork for future cooperation.

Contact a Supreme Court-certified family law mediator in Sarasota

Family law mediation provides a nonadversarial process for families to resolve conflicts. To learn how Tia E. Jensen, P.A. can guide you through the process, schedule a free consultation. Call today at 941-330-9600 or contact my Sarasota office online. My office is conveniently located in the Ringling Professional Center, 2831 Ringling Blvd.

Tia E. Jensen, P.A. is located in Sarasota, FL and serves clients in and around Sarasota, Longboat Key, Tallevast, Bradenton, Palmetto, Nokomis, Osprey, Manatee County and Sarasota County.

Attorney Advertising. This website is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. [ Site Map ]